CREAMLINE gave Bella Belen and Capital1 a harsh reality check, carving out a 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 sweep in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
While Belen continued to carry the offensive load for the Solar Spikers, the Cool Smashers countered with firepower from multiple fronts, as former MVPs Jema Galanza and Bernadeth Pons gave them a hat-trick of victories.
The match swung decisively when the Pons-Galanza tandem erased a six-point Capital1 lead in Set 2, unloading a 10-2 run from a 16-22 deficit to seize control and power Creamline to a straight-sets win.
Pons took over in the endgame and wound up with 14 points on 12 attacks, one block and one ace, while Galanza posted a 13-point, 10-reception double-double.
Tots Carlos topped the scoring column with 15 points and 10 digs, as Jia de Guzman orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and added three points.
The win lifted the Cool Smashers to joint second alongside Cignal with a 3-1 record.
“Knowing Capital1 na nandu’n si Bella, talagang lalaban at lalaban ‘yan. Hindi kami pwedeng magpabaya kahit one point,” said head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Maganda naman ‘yung response ng team sa second set kaya naka-recover kami. Lamang naman kami nu’n, pero siyempre, ‘yung mga senior player namin talaga ‘yung nag-deliver sa mga crucial points.”
Creamline was the first to create separation in a tightly contested opening set, unleashing an 8-2 burst to turn a close affair into a 23-15 advantage before securing the early edge.
The Solar Spikers showed signs of life in the second frame, as Belen sparked a rally that tied the set at 13-all before building a six-point cushion at 22-16 and moving within two points of leveling the match.
The Cool Smashers, however, kept their composure down the stretch, with Galanza erasing Capital1’s first set point before Pons delivered Creamline’s own at 25-24, with an attack error from Ezra Madrigal spoiling the Solar Spikers’ comeback bid.
Belen again tried to ignite a rally in the third set, helping Capital1 overturn an early 3-7 hole into a 13-9 lead.
But the Cool Smashers’ poise in the endgame proved decisive, as they held their ground to deny any late push and avert a sudden-death extension.
Lone star for Solar Spikers
It became more evident with this loss that Belen alone could not carry Capital1 to sustained success.
The star winger finished with 26 points, but support was scarce, as Ypril Tapia contributed just four markers, while Leila Cruz and Sydney Niegos added two points apiece.
The Solar Spikers’ cause was further hurt by 19 unforced errors, including 10 in the tightly contested second set.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
